What does Genesis 35:18 Mean?

Study Notes

Benjamin
i.e. son of my right hand. Benjamin, "son of sorrow" to his mother, but "son of my right hand" to his father, becomes thus a double type of Christ. As Ben-oni He was the suffering One because of whom a sword pierced His mother's heart Luke 2:35 as Benjamin, head of the warrior tribe Genesis 49:27 firmly joined to Judah the kingly tribe; Genesis 49:8-12 ; 1 Kings 12:21 he becomes a type of the victorious One. It is noteworthy that Benjamin was especially honoured among the Gentiles Hosea 2:14-234 .

So manifold are the distinctions of Christ that many personal types of Him are needed. Joseph is not complete, Benjamin standing only for Christ the sorrowful One Isaiah 53:3 ; Isaiah 53:4 yet have power on earth. (Cf) .

But Benjamin's mess

Cf. (See Scofield " Genesis 35:18 ") . It is important to observe that Benjamin now becomes prominent. Joseph is peculiarly the type of Christ in His first advent, rejection, death, resurrection, and present exaltation among the Gentiles, but unrecognized of Israel. As the greater Benjamin, "Son of sorrow," but also "Son of my right hand," He is to be revealed in power in the Kingdom Genesis 1:26-28 . See Scofield " Zechariah 12:8 ". It is then, and not till then, that Israel is to be restored and converted. See Scofield " Deuteronomy 30:3 ". Typically Genesis 45:1 ; Genesis 45:2 anticipates the revelation prophetically described,; Ezekiel 20:33-36 ; 1713534263_9 at which time the Benjamin type of Christ will be fulfilled.

Context Summary

From Bethel to Bethlehem is not far. The one, the House of God; the other, the House of Bread. We need them both, if we are to bear up under the repeated shocks of life, such as the death of the old nurse Deborah, the death of our beloved Rachels, the sins of our children, and the breakup of the old home, as when our father is borne to his grave. Well was it for Jacob that he had got right with God before these repeated waves broke upon him. Isaac had not lived a great life, but his full years gave him a claim on the veneration of his sons, who forgot their jealousies and feuds as they stood together at his bier. But how greatly men misjudge death. It is not the end, but the beginning. We find hereafter Isaac associated with Abraham and Jacob, as welcoming the saints homeward. Death greatens good men! [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 35

¹  God commands Jacob to go to Bethel
²  He purges his house of idols
⁶  He builds an altar at Bethel
⁸  Deborah dies at Allon Bacuth
⁹  God blesses Jacob at Bethel
¹⁰  Jacob Named Israel
¹⁶  Rachel travails of Benjamin, and dies in the way to Edar
²²  Reuben lies with Bilhah
²³  The sons of Jacob
²⁷  Jacob comes to Isaac at Hebron
²⁸  The age, death, and burial of Isaac